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Need help with dash problem..

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Old Jun 20, 2010 | 08:23 AM
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Default Need help with dash problem..

Just purchased a very nice 1988 vette. When I first picked the car up at the car haulers location I went through the whole car and noticed that the air and heat worked, but the digital read-out window didn't work....well after about 5 minutes the light worked and there was not problem the rst of that day. Yesterday we took the car for a spin and it doesn't work again...What might the problem be ??
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Old Jun 20, 2010 | 09:49 AM
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Do a search and you'll find out more than you wanted to know. Lots of problems but look nice when they work right.
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Old Jun 20, 2010 | 11:00 AM
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If you search for dash repair, you find information and a website for fixing it yourself.

From what I've read you have roughly 3 options:

1. Have someone replace it - ~$700

2. Remove it and have someone repair it - $150+

3. Repair it yourself - Almost nothing if you already have the tools.

The 2 bottom options can get more expensive if you have to replace parts, but they are your most reasonable options.
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Old Jun 20, 2010 | 10:27 PM
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I'm a little confused. Is the problem with the digital dash, i.e. speedometer or the digital readings on the electronic climate control?

If the ECC then there is a tech tip for that:
(click here)

In addition to cleaning the connections I also recommend "tinning" them with solder. My electronic climate control used to flash like disco lights until I did this. Now it works perfectly.

Ron
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Old Jun 20, 2010 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by rkmartinez90
Just purchased a very nice 1988 vette. When I first picked the car up at the car haulers location I went through the whole car and noticed that the air and heat worked, but the digital read-out window didn't work....well after about 5 minutes the light worked and there was not problem the rst of that day. Yesterday we took the car for a spin and it doesn't work again...What might the problem be ??
Its very,very,very easy to fix! Remove the dash easy as well.

1. REMOVE console,UNPLUG AND OPEN
then after console is removed replace all the capacitors. Then reinstall very easy job. Cost like $5.00 bucks in parts..

Look at this link..http://batee.com/corvette/index.htm
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Old Jun 21, 2010 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by big wave
Thankx for the link
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Old Jun 21, 2010 | 07:59 PM
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Check your grounds.
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Old Jun 21, 2010 | 11:54 PM
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If you have no experience repairing printed circuit boards, then STAY AWAY FROM YOUR CLUSTER! If both of the green turn signal indicators are both on dim when your cluster goes out, then you have a problem with the cluster ground. If not, then it would be worthwhile to remove the dash cover over the cluster and try unplugging the connectors on the right side and replugging them back in. Even better would be to wipe the plug contacts with a q tip and electrical contact cleaner. If you still have trouble, it would help if you gave a better description of the failure. Do the LCD displays still work but the back lighting goes off? Or does both the back lighting and the LCD displays not work?
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by jfb
If you have no experience repairing printed circuit boards, then STAY AWAY FROM YOUR CLUSTER! If both of the green turn signal indicators are both on dim when your cluster goes out, then you have a problem with the cluster ground. If not, then it would be worthwhile to remove the dash cover over the cluster and try unplugging the connectors on the right side and replugging them back in. Even better would be to wipe the plug contacts with a q tip and electrical contact cleaner. If you still have trouble, it would help if you gave a better description of the failure. Do the LCD displays still work but the back lighting goes off? Or does both the back lighting and the LCD displays not work?
- Also there is a static electrcity issue with these boards as well. When I opened mine the power supply cap was way over the 5% of its rating.
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